asked the Minister for Education if he will state in respect of (a) primary, (b) post-primary and (c) third level educational institutions, whether part or all of the total capital cost is paid out of public funds; if his Department insists on the implementation of any standards in relation to (a) the prevention of fire or (b) safety in case of fire; and the standards involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Funding and Safety Standards of Educational Institutions.
25.
Fire safety requirements are matters for the fire officer in each local authority area. As an invariable practice, my Department require that the agreement of the fire officer be obtained for the design of any school or college for which State moneys are provided.
Have the Minister's Department ever sent out in the past or do they contemplate now sending out any circular to educational institutions which they fund about the advisability of fire drill in schools?
I can tell the Deputy that this has been done. A circular was sent out, No. 7/78, directing the school authorities to take fire precautions. I have a copy of the circular here.
Does that circular actually refer to fire drill?
It talks about precautions and insurance.
In the course of his long teaching career in a number of schools, did the Minister ever participate in a fire drill?
I had one of the funniest experience I ever had. I was being put out of the window on the fourth floor of a certain school and in front of me was a very fat brother who had a hold of the ledge of the window with his two hands and would not let go. I stepped on his hands and he moved down beautifully in the cage until he hit the ground and I went next.
Is the Minister aware that in one school in particular, of which I can give him details if he is interested, because of the ASTI ban on the supervision of meal times, in the middle of the day 400 pupils are locked in? Would he agree that is not exactly desirable?
I certainly would.
A bit more seriousness about fire drills might help.
I take the censure from the Deputy. I would not like the House to get the impression that I was not taking it seriously. We have a splendid record so far as fires in schools are concerned while they have been occupied. It is very rare indeed if it has happened at all since 1831. There have been malicious fires and so on. I would not like the House to get the impression that I did not take this seriously. I undertake to ask the boards of management to take cognisance of circular 7/78.
Does the Minister not feel obliged to seek a report from the managers of all our schools so that he may be assured that it is possible to put the fire drills into practice, that the buildings are safe, and that the children are safe at all times while in the buildings?
I will call their attention to 7/78.
Is the Minister aware that a circular has gone out to local authorities from the Department of the Environment directing them to look into the problems which arise in relation to places of resort, halls, discos and so on? Are schools included?
When I am building a school I refer the fire end of things to the fire officer. Therefore, it is likely that schools would be covered through this going to the fire officer who is employed by the local authority.
Ceist 26 is for written reply.